The weather may not be as nice as last weekend but that’s no excuse for not going out and enjoying yourself.
As always, there are loads of events on around the island.
We have spent the week researching what's on and have selected some suggestions that are a mix of paid and free events for families and adults to try.
Dublin Docklands Sumer Festival
The annual summer festival in Grand Canal Basin takes place this Saturday and Sunday from 11 am - 5 pm.
There is a full weekend programme of events and activities including the Floating Golf Challenge, Rubber Duck Race, Wakeboarding Display and well as Food Stalls, Music, , Spot Prizes, Entertainment a fun Fun Fair.
Ireland’s largest water-sports festival on the beautiful golden sands of Dollymount Strand is on this weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
There will be loads to do including Kite Boarder Cross Racing, Standup Paddle Boarding Competition, Landyacht & Kite Buggy Demo, Beach Volleyball, Arts & Crafts, Bio Diversity Village, Mega Funfair, Kids Zone, Live Music, Artisan Food Traders and loads of Beach Fun.
Inaugural three-day Chamber Music Festival to be held in Russborough House, Blessington.
There are three schedule shows on Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon by Quatuor Zaide, The Ducasse Trio and a performance by Rachel Kelly and Fiachra Garvey. These musicians are all internationally renowned and represent a wonderful mixture of Irish and European talent.
The free pet-lovers event moves to Cork following the success of last weekend's event in Merrion Square. Meet fellow dog lovers, cuddle with puppies from the ISPCA and chat to experts for advice across all aspects of Feed, Care and Play and they even have a screening of Lady and the Tramp on Saturday! It's sure to be a fun-filled day for you and your dog.
The Burren in Bloom festival starts this weekend with events throughout the area from 19th May - 4th June, 2017. The festival encompasses garden visits, demonstrations, cultural events, family events, informative talks, guided walks and much, much more across the Burren to celebrate the summer blooms and biodiversity of the region.
On Saturday there is a fun family event where kids have a fun few hours exploring Tracht Beach and all it’s creatures. Booking in advance required and it’s only €5 per child.
Spring into Heritage
The Spring into Heritage and Summer of Heritage programme of events are a series of Free guided tours run by the Heritage Office of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. They are suitable for schools, students, families, historic groups and individuals interested in local history. For the duration of the ‘Spring into Heritage’ programme, free tours are available around Marlay House, Cabinteely House, The Oratory, Maritime Museum, Dalkey Castle, Seapoint Martello Tower and also the most famous building in world literature, the Martello Tower at Sandycove, where James Joyce’s masterpiece begins.
World Turtle Day
Shell-ebrate World Turtle Day Turtle in The National Reptile Zoo, Gowran, Co.Kilkenny and in The Lost World, Funtasia Waterpark, Drogheda, Co.Louth on Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st.
Learn how they weigh and measure their turtles and tortoises, watch their Turtle and Tortoise Health Check demos and meet their new critically endangered Snake Neck turtles that just arrived from ZSL London Zoo.
The Dublin Dance Festival runs from the 18th to 28th May with events & shows in venues across the city, including some family shows and workshops in the Ark, Temple Bar.
This Sunday, 21st May there is also a free family outdoor event in Merrion Square. Pack a picnic and gather family and friends for an afternoon of fun dance experiences for all ages in Merrion Square park.
Getting off to a gentle start with family yoga, they've got a ‘Bubble Baby Boogie’, tea and cakes and a ‘Dress-up Selfie Station’ by Dance World. Swing, roll and spin your way through ‘Funky Feet’ and ‘Bollyrobics’ workshops and enjoy pop-up performances by CoisCéim BROADREACH’s The Dance Ensemble 50+ and Dublin Youth Dance Company. Explore the biodiversity of the park and learn a simple dance about the changing seasons for the biggest NELKEN-Line in Ireland at 2 pm.
National Drawing Day
Tuesday, 16th May was National Drawing Day and there are loads of events throughout the country to hep you celebrate.
The National Museum of Archaeology on Kildare Street in Dublin hosts award-winning illustrator Mark Wickham who will show you how to storyboard your favourite Irish Celtic Myth. The event is on Saturday 20 May 2017 from 11 am-12:30 pm for children aged 12-16. Mark will then host children aged 7-11 to for a workshop on designing your own Celtic Superhero from the Iron Age from 2:30-3:30 pm. Places are limited and, although the event is free, booking is required.
Other events include free creative family fun and artistry in the National Craft Gallery, Castle Yard, Kilkenny from 11am - 3 pm; Try out the various drawing materials and techniques on offer and master your own drawing skills in RUA RED from 12pm – 2pm; The Glucksman, University College Cork, College Road offers you the opportunity to dress up and draw from 1pm - 3pm; and a free family event in Muckross House from 2pm - 4pm.
Visit Carlingford for the National Leprechaun Hunt which is a fantastic day out for the whole family with lots of fantastic prizes up for grabs.
Buy a certified Hunting Licence for only €6 per person or €20 for a family of four to allow you to participate in the Hunt on the Sliabh Foy Mountains and be in with the chance of winning the leprechaun’s treasure.
There will be prizes worth €2000 up to be won and all proceeds go towards fantastic local charities.
Limerick Racecourse host the first of their popular summer family day this Sunday.
National Hunt racing starts at 1.55pm and there are a total of seven races on the card.
This is also a host of free entertainment, along with free admission for children under twelve, including Pony Rides, Face painter, Balloon Modelling, Kiddie discos, Onsite playground, Cinema Hut, Arts, Crafts, badge and jewellery making and Bouncy castles and obstacles.
